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After Sirzechs's visit, life returned to normal for Mika, his days filled with classes at Kuoh Academy and occasional duels with Sirzechs in the Underworld.
Strangely, after all his adventures—Mika no longer found school as tedious as he had in his previous life.
Perhaps he was simply enjoying the novelty of a normal, everyday existence—or maybe, freed from the pressures of exams and future career anxieties, he could now appreciate the simpler pleasures of school life:
The camaraderie, the friendships, the youthful energy that permeated the very air.
It was, after all, a pleasant environment. No wonder even a Devil princess like Rias enjoyed it.
As the days grew warmer, summer arrived, and with it swimsuits. Kuoh Academy had a swimming pool, and swimming lessons were part of the curriculum.
This naturally excited the boys, especially Issei, who had been pestering Mika about it for weeks. His constant chatter had even piqued Mika's curiosity.
Rias, however, as a Devil with considerable influence—had arranged for a private swim session for her peerage before the official start of swimming lessons.
"Ah, this is the life…" Mika sighed contentedly, floating on his back, his body submerged up to his neck, enjoying the cool water. While his enhanced physique made him impervious to cold, the refreshing sensation was still incredibly pleasant.
"Hahaha!" Laughter echoed from the other side of the pool, where Rias, Akeno, Xenovia, Koneko, and Asia were splashing and playing. Their carefree antics made Mika smile.
"Mika, how are you doing that? Is it magic?" Issei's voice interrupted his peaceful contemplation. He had drifted closer without Mika realizing it.
Issei wasn't with the others but was at the other end of the pool, teaching Asia how to swim. She seemed to be struggling. As usual, anything involving Asia was Issei's responsibility.
They were, after all, practically a couple now. While Issei still dreamed of a harem, his devotion to Asia was undeniable.
"No, it's just body control." Mika turned, propping himself up with his elbows, his hand supporting his head, as if the water's surface were a solid mattress. "This is how you use magic."
Issei, seeing his effortless control, was envious.
"Can I learn that, Mika?"
"Of course. But it requires practice. Once you master it, it will be incredibly useful, both in and out of the water."
"I see. I'll keep training then," Issei said, his motivation renewed.
It wasn't a love of training itself that drove him, but his…aspirations. He wanted to become stronger, to become a High-class Devil, to gain his own peerage, and finally to build his harem—
—and seeing Mika's effortless display of control—he imagined himself performing similar feats, impressing the girls. Anything that could potentially contribute to his harem-building endeavors was worth pursuing.
"Good." Mika nodded, pleased with his enthusiasm, then pushed himself off the pool's edge and drifted towards Rias and the others.
"Mika, come here for a moment. I need you," Rias called out.
"What is it?" He climbed out of the pool and approached her.
"I need you to apply sunscreen," she said with a smile.
Mika instantly understood.
That was why Issei had been at the other end of the pool, teaching Asia. Rias had deliberately sent him away. And if not for Asia, Issei probably wouldn't have been invited at all. After all, Kiba was absent.
"But—Devils don't get sunburned, do they?" Mika asked, taking the bottle of sunscreen from her and opening it.
"While we don't get sunburned, the sun is still unpleasant. Besides, this is a special…beauty sunscreen," Rias explained.
"I see. You learn something new every day." Mika nodded, though he was well-versed in Devil lore, beauty sunscreen wasn't something he had encountered before.
"Here we go." Mika expertly untied the straps of her swimsuit, his expression neutral, neither embarrassed nor aroused.
They were, after all, practically an old married couple, their intimacy a familiar, comfortable routine. And Mika, having experienced such…situations in other worlds, wasn't easily flustered.
He was only applying sunscreen.
Suddenly, a weight pressed against his arm.
"I want some too, Mika," Akeno said, leaning against him. After their time together, she had also developed feelings for Mika, though she hadn't acted on them.
His relationship with Rias had progressed too quickly, leaving her no opportunity to intervene. Now, however, learning about his otherworldly origins, his long years spent traveling between dimensions, she saw her chance. As for whether it was wrong to pursue him, knowing about his relationship with Rias—she wasn't concerned.
In the Underworld, monogamy wasn't exactly common.
Those with power, like Riser, whose fifteen-member peerage consisted entirely of beautiful young women, all but one of whom were his lovers (his younger sister, Ravel, being the exception)—were expected to have multiple partners—and Rias's father, when arranging their engagement, hadn't even considered this a flaw.
This was simply the way of the Devil world: those with power were entitled to indulge.
Akeno's sudden declaration surprised Rias.
While she and Akeno were close friends, and monogamy wasn't a Devil custom—Mika also had other relationships, including a childhood friend in his original world, she wasn't ready to…share him so easily.
"Akeno, don't forget you're still my servant," Rias said, standing up and moving to Mika's other side, placing a possessive hand on his arm.
"So? You can't stop me from pursuing love," Akeno replied with a smile, unfazed by her challenge.
"So, your 'love' is my lover?"
"Indeed. After all, only the strong are worthy of true beauty. And the reverse is also true."
"Are you saying you're stronger than me?"
"Perhaps. Want to test that theory?" The air between them crackled with tension, their magic power surging as they glared at each other.
Issei, at the other end of the pool, teaching Asia how to swim, sensed the sudden shift in energy and looked over, seeing the three of them standing together, their auras flaring. He instantly recognized the situation, a scene he had witnessed countless times in anime:
A love triangle...
"I'm so jealous…" Issei murmured, wishing he could also be the…object of such…affection.
However, he quickly snapped out of his envious reverie, his mind, now filled with knowledge from countless anime and manga, anticipating the inevitable outcome.
"They're about to fight. And with their power…this entire area could be destroyed. While I can handle it, Asia can't. I have to get her out of here. Besides, if I witness their…catfight…they'll never let me live it down." Issei quickly assessed the situation.
"Asia, that's enough swimming lessons for today. This area is about to become…unsafe. We can continue next time. I'm sure there will be…other opportunities," Issei said.
"Alright," Asia replied with a nod, trusting his judgment, though she didn't understand the nature of the impending…danger.
They climbed out of the pool and quietly made their way towards the exit, disappearing from sight.
Koneko, also sensing the tension, didn't flee like Issei. She was confident in her ability to survive the upcoming…event. She simply retreated to a safer distance, observing them with a subtle smile.
She was, after all, becoming quite the connoisseur of such dramatic situations, perhaps due to Mika's influence.
And as Issei and Koneko had anticipated, after a brief standoff, Rias and Akeno attacked, their magic clashing, destroying the surrounding area in a whirlwind of energy.
However, their duel didn't last long. Just as they were about to clash again, Mika intervened, stepping between them and placing a hand on each of their shoulders.
"Enough," Mika said calmly. While he knew they would eventually reconcile, given their close friendship, he couldn't simply stand by and watch them fight over him.
"Mika…" They both stopped, their magic power subsiding.
He pulled them closer, his arms wrapping around them. "Don't fight. You're both my wings." He couldn't resist using the cheesy line, his voice, however, filled with a genuine affection.
While he felt a twinge of guilt, perhaps, at his own indecisiveness, he couldn't deny his feelings for both of them.
Akeno smiled, while Rias simply sighed. She had anticipated this. He had never hidden his past, his other relationships. And she wasn't truly opposed to Akeno's interest in him.
Their earlier "fight" had been more of a playful…sparring match fueled by jealousy. She wouldn't have allowed it if she had truly objected. She had known about Akeno's feelings for quite some time and had never discouraged them.
"So, you got your wish, didn't you, Akeno?" she said, giving her a playful glare.
"Thank you, Rias," Akeno replied with a smile, knowing that Rias, as her Queen, understood her better than anyone.
Mika smiled, watching them reconcile, relieved. Just as he was about to speak, he sensed a familiar presence.
"That's…" His eyes narrowed.
"You two—enjoy yourselves. I have something to attend to." Mika vanished, leaving them staring after him in surprise.
———
Outside Kuoh Academy, Issei, having escaped the pool with Asia, was intercepted on his way home.
A handsome young man stood before him.
Sensing his familiar aura, Issei instinctively shielded Asia, his body tensing.
"Vali—the White Dragon Emperor…?"
"Oh? You know who I am?" Vali asked, intrigued.
"Azazel mentioned you. You're my destined rival, after all. I've done my research." Issei took a step forward, trying to appear confident.
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